Frozen food container vender



Feb. 24, 1959 F. D..NEwr-:| L 2,874,873

FROZEN Roon CONTAINER VENDER Filed `Mauwh 25, 1953 2 sheets-sheet 1 i 4,52 ,i /2*^ 26 ,ff/ 1. l Il 25 "MIIw u A Y llllllllilllllllllllll l v i 'I INVENToR.

/Wyf 1- Ffm 0. Nen/ 2,874,873 FROZEN FooD CONTAINER VENDER Fred D. Newell, Overland Park, Kans. Application March 23, 1953, Serial No. 343,820

7 Claims. (Cl. 221-203) This invention relates to the handling of products normally packaged and stored in a frozen or other solid or semi-solid condition and requiring-a change in its consistency prior to use such as by melting or partially melting the same into a flowable liquid, the primary object being `to provide a method such as above described, apparatus for handling cartons within which the substance is packaged, and the provision of a satisfactory carton to carry out the method and render the apparatus operable as desired.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide a vending machine for cartons containing substances such as malted milk or other drinks which must be kept under refrigeration preferably in a frozen condition and which must similarly be reduced to a tiowing condition prior to actual consumption by the purchaser or other receiver of the packaged product.

Another important object of this invention is to provide apparatus in the nature of a vending machine adapted to receive and store a plurality of cartons such as above mentioned, under refrigeration and having mechanism forming a part thereof for receiving, rotating and discharging the cartons singly from the machine, there being means to heat the frozen product contained in the carton as the same is being rotated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel carton for use in a machine such as above set forth and in the method contemplated by this invention, which kcarton is provided with specially formed baiiies therewithin to stir the product as the carton is rotated adjacent heating means forming a part of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a vending machine having rotating apparatus adapted to receive the aforesaid cartons as the same are discharged singly from a storage compartment, continuously rotate the `carton a predetermined number of revolutions, heat the carton as it is being rotated and subsequently discharging the carton automatically from the machine ready for use of the product which has` been rendered flowallle through the heating andmstirringstepsof the ma- Other, objects include the way :in which the .article rotating apparatus is in the nature of relatively swing-` able jaws having a rollerthat rotates continuously;` in

engagement with `the carton while-the lattenis` heldl by. thejaws; the way in `whicl'rthe friction roller Vis swung. to la` released position after the carton has .been rotated. a predetermined `number ot" revolutions; themannerof` providing `a` iiexible `chain on the like tQJrnpmt rotation to the rollerandto releasel the carton; `andmany` more.V minor objectsallof whiclnwill be made clear orbecorne apparent as `theufollowing Vspecification progresses.`

, This `is` a continuationin `part of my co-pending,appli-'1` cation Serial No. 310,190,.ti1ed Septernberd8,,49521,V and entitled Processes t of Packaging, Melting And` Mixing` Pre-Prepared Frozen Confections Or O.ther,Liquids,` nowabandoned. t t 1 United States Patent O clinedchutes 26 and 28 thatveonvergetoyvard the vertical centerof thecabinet 10.V ,d f

d In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of apparatus for tion of the parts of the rotating apparatus asthe carton` is being discharged therefrom.

Fig. 5 is a substantially central, longitudinal, crosssectional view through the novel container developed for carrying out the present invention; and d Fig. 6 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken on line VI--VI of Fig. 5.

While the present invention will hereinafter be described in connection with the handling of frozen food products such as malted milks and milk-shakes, it is to be understood that the same has applicability in many other fields. There has developed however, a great need` for a machine to dispense a food product of this type; Diiliculties arise because of the necessity of keeping the same under refrigeration until consumed and it has been found that actual freezing of the product into a solid or semi-solid condition is to be preferred.. Accordingly, in order for a process such as herein contemplated to become practical, means must be provided as an inherent part of the system to reduce the product from its frozen or partially frozen condition, to a fiowable consistency such as is quite common in malted milks and milkshakes as the terms are now generally understood, all prior to actual discharge of the product to the customer or potential user. All problems relating to the results herein intended have been overcome in the invention about to be described, and in referring to the drawings it will be seen that there is provided a hollow cabinet broadly designated by the numeral 10 that has an access door 12 of any suitable form.

In the form of the invention chosen for illustration, door 12` is in turn provided with an access opening 14 and an inclined, open-top chute or hopper 16 that extends into the hollow cabinet 10 when the door 12 is closed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Cabinet 10 is provided with a storagechamber 18 for a plurality of cartons 20 containing the frozen or semi-frozen product to be vended. Cartons 20 are preferably arranged in stacked relationship as shown in Figs. l and 2, the stacks being separated by vertical partitions or other guides 22. A suitable control member 24rnay be provided for dispensing the cartons 2li?` singly `torin- The members 24 chosen `for illustration are each designed` to` control the gravitationaL discharge ,ofcart0ns. 20 from a pair of stacksthereof and, -therefore,.themen1- bers 24 are mounted for oscillation.on horizontal axes.`

A Since the particular,` type of control means `used may `be chargea carton 2d from one stack and holdthe cartons' i control mechanismwmay also, bein turn governed by the` varied Vto suit the desires of the manufacturergandforms no` partof this invention, itinay belpointed out thatvvlien-y inythe next-adjacent stack from `being discharged to the underlying inclinedshelf or chute-26-.28. A nysuitable control mechanism may be `provided to cause successive operations ofthe members24,.and`t'o thisextensuch` Patented Feb. 2,4, 1959 operation of coin-control mechanism broadly designated by.the numeral 30 and shown in the drawings mounted upon the door 12 of cabinet 10.

When a carton 20 is caused to fall upon ,one of the inclined guides 26 or 28, it will roll toward the center ofthe machine and vinto the article rotating apparatus about to' be described. `Such rotating apparatus includes a `pair of opposed, swi'ngable jaws 32 and 34 such as shown in Figs'. I to 4 inclusive. The jaw 32 is composed of a pair of links, one ofv which is shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4 and' designated by the numeral 36. The spaced links- 36 arey joined by a pair of horizontal, parallel pins 38 and 40' and' by afriction roller 42 below pin 40.

The jaws 32 and 34 span the distance between a pair of vertical support plates 4'4 and 46 suitably mounted in the cabinet below the shelves 26 and 28, and the uppermost pin 38' extends through these plates 44 and 46 to mount the jaw 32 thereon for swinging movement on a horizontal axis that is substantially parallel with'the longitudinal axes of the cartons when the latter are stored in the chamber I8 and when the same are received by the jaws 32 andv 34 as will' hereinafter be made clear.

The jaw 34' has a pair of spaced, substantially T-shaped plates 48 joined by a pivot pin ,50 that likewise extends through the plates 44 and 46, thereby mounting the jaw 34 for swinging movement on a horizontal axis in spaced, parallelism with the pivot pin 38. The jaw 34 includes additionally, aypair of spaced, horizontal rods 52 and 54 mounted rigidly to the swingable plates 48 and spanning the distancel therebetween.

The shaft upon which roller 42 is rigidly mounted extends through an arcuate slot 56 in the plate 46 as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, slot 56 thereby limiting the extent of swinging movement of the jaw 32. This extended shaft receives a small sprocket wheel 58 that is disposed between the plate 46 and the rear wall of cabinet 10 and receives a continuous chain 60 that passes also over idler sprocket wheels 62 and 64 suitably mounted on the plate 46 and over a sprocket wheel 66 mounted on the drive shaft of an electric motor 68 housed within the cabinet 10.

IIt is noted in Fig. l of the drawings that the plate 44 has a clearance opening 70 'for cartons 20', discharging from the rotating apparatus and gravitating into the hopper 16, and Fig. 1 also illustrates the provision ofV a slot 72 in plate 46 that guides the sprocket wheel 64 for reciprocable movement with respect to plate 46.

A spring 74 interconnects the sprocket wheel 64 and the plate 46 to yieldably `hold the continuous chain 6i) tautv around the sprocket wheels 62, 64 and 66. Like- Wise, a spring 76 interconnects the jaw 32 and the plate 46 to yieldably hold the jaw 32 biased toward the upper end of arcuate yslot 56 and to hold the sprocket wheel 53 onv roller' 42 in mesh with the chain 60. A `centering spring 78 interconnects the plate 46 and the jaw 34 to yieldably hold the latter in the normal position shown by'Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Accordingly, when the jaws 32 and 34 are disposed as illustrated in Fig. 3, they are in a position for receiving a carton 20 dischargedl from one of the stacks thereof in compartment 18 and rolling down one of the inclined chutes 2'6 or 28 `into a position between, and supported by the jaws 32 and 34. It is noted that the lowerrnost ends of the chutes 26 and 28 are spaced-apart to clear the downwardly rolling carton' 20 for discharge into the rotating apparatus. The carton 20 is disposed as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, when supported for rotation by the jaws 32 and 3.4. It is to be noted that the carton 20' isjinfrictional engagement with the roller 42 and in order that the latter will effectively rotate the cartoni 20 on its horizontal, longitudinal axis, roller 42 is roughened or providedwith frictionable material as shownin Fig. 2 of the drawings. By virtue of the provision .of springs 76 and 78' for jaws 32 and 34 respectively, .the carton 2'0 will be rotatably gripped or Cil 4 held in place between the jaws 32 and 34 in engagement with the roller 42' and the ro'ds 52 and 54. To this end therefore, the last mentioned rods may be mounted for' tween the chain 60 and the sprocket wheel 58. As the roller 42 rotates it will impart a rotative Vmovement to the carton 20 which it engages. After the chain 60 has. travelled a .complete revolution, a small, outwardly extending cam .82, rigidly mounted thereon, moves into en gagement with a` pin 84' mounted on the rear wallj of cabigravitational movement through the opening 7'0 and' into the hopper 16 for access by the customer or potential USSI. Fig. l of the drawings also illustrates how the spring 78 yields to slight downward', swinging movementl of the jaw 34 when the carton 2 0 is held thereby, and in'Fig'. 4'of the drawings', it is seen how ther jaW 34 swings downwardly toward the lowernrost end of its path of travel asv permitted by the resiliency of Vspring 78 when the carton 20 is'being discharged; from the rotating apparatus.

The rotating of the carton' 20 a predetermined num# ber of revolutions before discharge into the receiving hopper 16, is for the purpose of melting and', stirring ,its contents and to this end, there is provided a novel arrangement within the carton 2G as shown in Figs. 5 an`d"6 of the'drawings for effecting a stirring or a'gitating action.

Carton 20 is provided with a plurality' of elongated baflies S6 extending longitudinally of the carton 20 and taking the form of a spiral or, more appropriately, a semi-spiral in reverse volute. Baffles 86 are preferably triangular-shaped as shown in Fig. 6 ofthe drawings, andV when the carton Zi) is rotated by the rollerv 42, the

bailles 46 will effectively stir the contents.

Simultaneously with the rotating action, the carton and its contents, are heated' through the provision `of a plurality of lamps 88 properly mounted within the cabinet 10. It is preferred thatV the contents to be mixed in the cartons 20, be reduced to a soft consistency.

through use of cndothermic heating` and to this end, infra-red lamps 818 are preferred. Furthermore', it is desirable that the outer face of the cartons 20 'be of a relatively dark color to enhance the action of the lamp'S 38 in heating the contents of the cartons.

Timing of course, may be controlled by the pro'- vision of speed-control mechanism in connection with the motor 68 and it may be energized' by closing of a switch not shown within a conventional wiring circuit that also energizes the lamps 88 simultaneously with the operation of motor ,68.

When the carton 20 moves to the position shown in Fig. 4 of the draw-ings, jaw 34 swings upwardly to actuate a switch 90 and thereby deenergizethe lamps 88. As the cam means 82 on chain 60 conti-nues downwardly,

it will move into engagement with a switch I92 to def It is clear from the foregoing that the amount ot'heat geraete that is required and the number of revolutions that must be imparted to the cartons 20, will depend upon the consistency desired in the product to be consumed from the cartons 20, and these factors in turn will be controlled by the nature of the product itself. Manifestly, it is not desired in the case of malted milk or milkshakes to reduce the same to a completely melted condition, but the same should at least be sufficiently melted so as to be tiowable or satisfactory for eating as may be desired by the consuming public,

Determination of these needs may be made by those skilled in the art and such changes and modifications as may be needed or desired to alter the intended operation of the present invention, are contemplated hereby, and it is therefore, desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In article rotating apparatus, a releasable device for rotatably supporting an article to be rotated, said device including a rotatable element for rotating the article, said element being swingable to and from a position frictionally engaging the article when the latter is supported by said device; a continuous, flexible member coupled with said element for rotating the latter; means for driving the member; and means including structure on the member for swinging the element to a position releasing the article from said device after the element has rotated the article a predetermined number of revolutions.

2. In article rotating apparatus, a releasable device for rotatably supporting an article to be rotated, said device including a rotatable element for rotating the article, said element being swingable to and from a position frictionally engaging the article when the latter is supported by said device; a continuous, exible memt ber coupled with said element for rotating the latter; means for driving the member; cam means on said member; and a dellector disposed for engagement by the cam means after the element has rotated the article a predetermined number of revolutions for exing the member to swing the element to a position releasing the article from said device.

3. In article rotating apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein is provided a rotatable part in supporting relationship to said member, said part being spring-loaded 6 for facilitating the flexing of the member as the cam means engages the detlector.

4. In article rotating apparatus, a cradle having a pair of spaced, swingable, article-receiving jaws; yieldable means for each jaw respectively normally holding thesame in a position for supporting the article; a rotatable friction element forming a part of one of the jaws for engaging and rotating the article when the same is supported between the jaws; and mechanism coupled with said element for rotating the latter, said mechanism including means for swinging said one jaw against the action of its yieldable means to release the article by gravitational movement after the element has rotated the article a predetermined number of revolutions, the other jaw being disposed for free swinging movement against the action of its spring under influence of the gravitatng article.

5. In article rotating apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said mechanism comprises a continuous, exible member coupled with said element; and :means for driving the member.

6. In article rotating apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for swinging the one jaw includes structure mounted on said member.

7. In article rotating apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said structure comprises cam means on the member, and wherein is provided means disposed within the path of travel of said cam means for engagement thereby to flex the member and thereby swing the one jaw.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,655,381 Parker Ian. 3, 1928 1,818,325 Happel Aug. 1l, 1931 2,012,816 Holt Aug. 27, 1935 2,160,351 Bemis Mar. 30, 1939 2,256,976 Ford Sept. 23, 1941 2,265,696 Mullins Dec. 9, 1941 2,279,936 Brodie Apr. 14, 1942 2,308,532 Mills Jan. 19, 1943 2,493,223 Brock Ian. 3, 1950 2,501,291 Rue Mar. 21, 1950 2,528,341 Creely Oct. 31, 1950 2,531,292 Page Nov. 21, 1950 2,549,485 Silverman Apr. 17, 1951 2,592,485 Stair Apr. 8, 1952 

